Interchangeable fitting system and method

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable fitting system generally involving a fitting, the fitting including a male connector and a female connector, the male and female connectors each having a forward portion and an aft portion, the male connector being interfaceable with a plurality of non-system female connectors, and the female connector being interfaceable with a plurality of non-system male connectors, the male connector having a primary sealing structure and a secondary sealing structure, the female connector having a primary sealing structure and a secondary sealing structure, and the male primary sealing structure being interfaceable with the female primary sealing structure, and the male secondary sealing structure being interfaceable with the female secondary sealing structure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention technically relates to fittings. Morespecifically, the present invention technically relates to high pressurefittings. Even more specifically, the present invention technicallyrelates to high pressure fittings that are hand-tightenable and areoperable under extended vacuum conditions as well.

BACKGROUND ART

Many high pressure fittings and fitting systems have been developed inthe related art. However, these related art devices and systems do notoffer flexibility via interchangeability, a sufficient hand-tighteningoption at high pressures, or operation under a vacuum condition. Onerelated art high pressure hydraulic fitting uses a first O-ring disposedin a channel and a locking nut that is engaged to a body. The lockingnut has an internal threaded section that is arranged to mate with thethreaded section on the body. Another related art apparatus involves asmall-diameter tubing connector and sealing apparatus for anchoring atubing end. This apparatus has four separate sealing areas and usespacking rings.

Another related art device involves a fitting for a conduit having afrusto-conical forwardly converging sealing surface and a frusto-conicalcamming mouth and uses front and back ferrules on a conduit. Uponapplication of a substantially axial compressive force to the ferrules,they become deformed into gripping engagement with the conduit. Yetanother related art apparatus involves a low-carryover fitting assemblyfor coupling tubing to a device having a sealing surface, usingferrules, a sleeve having a ramped inner surface, and a coupling nut.

Other related art devices include a hydraulic coupling which formscontact seals to fluidly connect a tapered port with a tube having athreaded connecting portion. The body of the port includes a lip whichdeforms on the inner tapered surface of the fitting. The lipped port mayalso be provided by a collar disposed between the port and the fitting.Optionally, O-rings may be added to provide additional seals. However,this coupling seals only with the application of tool generated torques.The foregoing related art devices are readily interchangeable, are nothand-tightenable at high pressures, and do not perform well under vacuumconditions or extended vacuum conditions.

Typically, a problem in the related art is that a worker “out in thefield” on a high-pressure line would need to bring a ½-inch tube,inconveniently cut threads into the tube, screw a collet onto thefreshly cut threads, and then install the part without any furthersealing mechanism, whereby a fluid under high-pressure would leak.

Thus, a long-felt need exists in the art for an interchangeable fittingsystem comprising a fitting having a male portion that is interfaceablewith a plurality of non-system female connectors and the female portionthat is interfaceable with a plurality of non-system male connectors,wherein the fitting is hand-tightenable in a high pressure range,wherein the fitting is wrench-tightenable in yet a higher pressurerange, and wherein the fitting is operable under a vacuum condition aswell.

SUMMARY OF TIE INVENTION

The present invention solves the foregoing problems in the related artin an interchangeable fitting system, as well as corresponding methodsof fabrication and use. The present invention interchangeable fittingsystem generally comprises a fitting, the fitting including a maleconnector and a female connector, the male and female connectors eachhaving a forward portion and an aft portion, the male connector beinginterfaceable with a plurality of non-system female connectors, and thefemale connector being interfaceable with a plurality of non-system maleconnectors, the male connector having a primary sealing structure and asecondary sealing structure, the female connector having a primarysealing structure and a secondary sealing structure, and the maleprimary sealing structure being interfaceable with the female primarysealing structure, and the male secondary sealing structure beinginterfaceable with the female secondary sealing structure.

The present invention method of fabricating an interchangeable fittingsystem generally comprises providing a fitting, the fitting providingstep including providing a male connector and providing a femaleconnector, the male connector and female connector providing step eachcomprising providing a respective forward portion and a respective aftportion, the male connector providing step comprising providinginterfaceablity of the male connector with a plurality of non-systemfemale connectors, and the female connector providing step comprisingproviding interfaceablity of the female connector with a plurality ofnon-system male connectors, the male connector providing step comprisingproviding the male connector with a primary sealing structure and asecondary sealing structure, the female connector providing stepcomprising providing the female connector with a primary sealingstructure and a secondary sealing structure, and whereby the maleprimary sealing structure is interfaceable with the female primarysealing structure, and the male secondary sealing structure isinterfaceable with the female secondary sealing structure.

The present invention method of using an interchangeable fitting systemcomprises providing an interchangeable fitting system, the systemcomprising a fitting, the fitting including a male connector and afemale connector, the male and female connectors each having a forwardportion and an aft portion, the male connector being interfaceable witha plurality of non-system female connectors, and the female connectorbeing interfaceable with a plurality of non-system male connectors, themale connector having a primary sealing structure and a secondarysealing structure, the female connector having a primary sealingstructure and a secondary sealing structure, and the male primarysealing structure being interfaceable with the female primary sealingstructure, and the male secondary sealing structure being interfaceablewith the female secondary sealing structure; and connecting the fittingto at least one element selected from a group consisting essentially ofa hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and arigid tube, wherein the connecting step comprises a step selected from agroup consisting essentially of hand-tightening the fitting in apressure range of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psiand wrench-tightening the fitting in a pressure range of up toapproximately 150,000 psi.

Advantages of the present invention include, but are not limited to,providing flexibility via mating system components that areinterchangeable with a plurality of non-system components using the aftportions of the system components, such as mating with different threadstandards and different sealing configurations, e.g., accommodation ofboth tapered and parallel threads, conic sealing faces, flat sealingfaces, face seals, etc., providing quick and temporary connections inthe field, providing the capability of tapping into high pressure linesfor making measurements through a test port, facilitating calibrationover a broad temperature range using the present high-pressurequick-connect fitting system, and increasing safety in a high pressureor vacuum environment almost two-fold by allowing hand-tightening atrelatively high pressure without risk of personal injury. Other featuresof the present invention are disclosed, or are apparent, in the sectionentitled “Mode(s) for Carrying-Out the Invention,” disclosed, infra.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is madeto the below-referenced accompanying Drawing(s). Reference numbers referto the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout theseveral figures of the Drawing(s).

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an interchangeable fitting system,comprising a fitting, the fitting comprising male and female connectors(system), the male connector and the female connector havingcomplementary parallel threads at their respective forward portions incombination with tapered threads at their respective aft portions,wherein both a primary seal and a secondary seal are achieved, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an interchangeable fitting system,comprising a fitting, the fitting comprising male (swivel) and femaleconnectors, the male and female connectors having complementary parallelthreads at their respective forward portions, wherein the femaleconnector comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion, wherein themale connector comprises an adapter portion, having a parallel thread,at its aft portion for coupling with a non-system female connector, andwherein both a primary seal and a secondary seal are achieved, inaccordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a non-system male connector and thefemale connector (system) as having complementary parallel threads attheir respective forward portions, wherein the female connectorcomprises a tapered thread at its aft portion, wherein the non-systemmale connector comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion, wherein ahard interface is formed between the respective conical surfaces, andwherein a primary seal is formed, in accordance with a furtherembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a system male connector and anon-system female connector as having complementary parallel threads attheir respective forward portions, wherein the non-system femaleconnector comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion, wherein thesystem male connector comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion,wherein a hard interface is formed between the respective conicalsurfaces, and wherein a primary seal is formed, in accordance with yet afurther embodiment of the present invention.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING-OUT THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, an interchangeable fitting system S is illustratedwhich generally comprises a fitting 10, in accordance with the presentinvention. The fitting 10 includes a male connector 20 and a femaleconnector 30, the male and female connectors 20, 30 each having aforward portion 20 f, 30 f and an aft portion 20 a, 30 a, the maleconnector 20 being interfaceable with a plurality of non-system femaleconnectors (not shown), and the female connector 30 being interfaceablewith a plurality of non-system male connectors (not shown), the maleconnector 20 having a primary sealing structure 21 and a secondarysealing structure 22, the female connector 30 having a primary sealingstructure 31 and a secondary sealing structure 32, and the male primarysealing structure 21 being interfaceable with the female primary sealingstructure 31, and the male secondary sealing structure 22 beinginterfaceable with the female secondary sealing structure 32. The femaleconnector 30 further comprises a weep hole 33 disposed forward of thefemale secondary sealing structure 32 for facilitating indication of acondition, such as an over-pressurized state and a leaking state.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the male primary sealing structure 21comprises a frusto-conical sealing surface; and the female primarysealing structure 31 comprises a complementary frusto-conical sealingface, wherein the frusto-conical sealing surface and the complementaryfrusto-conical sealing face are interactable as a hard interface. Thefrusto-conical sealing surface comprises an angle of approximately 59°;and the complementary frusto-conical sealing face comprises an angle ofapproximately 60°. The male secondary sealing structure 22 comprises anintegrally formed collar portion disposed aft of the male primarysealing structure 21. The integrally formed collar portion comprises across-section, such as a circular cross-section and a conicalcross-section. The female secondary sealing structure 32 comprises anelement, such as an O-ring, a gasket, a washer, a seal, and a radialseal, being seated forward of the female primary sealing structure 31.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the male connector forward portion 20 fcomprises a parallel thread; and the male connector aft portion 20 acomprises a threading feature, such as a parallel thread, a taperedthread, a pipe thread, a male national pipe thread, a British standardparallel thread, a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type“M” 58-degree thread, a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressurehose thread, an industry-available connection system thread, ahigh-pressure tubing thread, and any other suitable threading system.The female connector forward portion 30 f comprises a parallel thread;and the female connector aft portion 30 a comprises a threading feature,such as a parallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipe thread, a malenational pipe thread, a British standard parallel thread, a JIC37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread,a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, anindustry-available connection system thread, a high-pressure tubingthread, and any other suitable threading system. By example only, themale connector 20 and the female connector 30 are shown in FIG. 1 ashaving complementary parallel threads at their respective forwardportions 20 f, 30 f in combination with tapered threads at theirrespective aft portions 20 a, 30 a. In this example, both a primary sealand a secondary seal are achieved.

Still referring to FIG. 1-3, the fitting 10 is hand-tightenable in apressure range of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psi.For even higher pressures, the fitting 10 is wrench-tightenable in apressure range of up to approximately 150,000 psi. Further, the fitting10 is operable under an extended vacuum condition. The fitting system Sis used for connecting an element, such as a hydraulic system, apneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and a rigid tube (not shown).The system S may optionally further comprise a hose (not shown) beingcoupled with the fitting 10, wherein the hose comprises a material, suchas stainless steel, copper, polyamide, polyurethane, copper, rubber,brass, polyoxymethylene, nylon, and any other suitable material. Thefitting 10 comprises a material, such as stainless steel, 316 stainlesssteel, titanium, nickel, iron, chromium, cobalt, copper, molybdenum,brass, steel, Monel®, Hastelloy®, and any other suitable material.

Referring to FIG. 2, by example only, the male connector 20 and thefemale connector 30 are shown as having complementary parallel threadsat their respective forward portions 20 f, 30 f, wherein the femaleconnector 30 comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion 30 a, andwherein the male connector 20 comprises an adapter portion 23, having aparallel thread, at its aft portion 20 a for coupling with a non-systemfemale connector 40, in accordance with another embodiment of thepresent invention. In this example, both a primary seal and a secondaryseal are achieved.

Referring to FIG. 3, by example only, a non-system male connector 50 andthe female connector 30 are shown as having complementary parallelthreads at their respective forward portions 50 f, 30 f, wherein thefemale connector 30 comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion 30 a,and wherein the non-system male connector 50 comprises a tapered threadat its aft portion 50 a, wherein a hard interface is formed between therespective conical surfaces, and wherein a primary seal is formed, inaccordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, by example only, a system male connector 20 and anon-system female connector 60 as having complementary parallel threadsat their respective forward portions 20 f, 60 f, wherein the non-systemfemale connector 60 comprises a tapered thread at its aft portion 60 a,wherein the system male connector 20 comprises a tapered thread at itsaft portion 20 a, wherein a hard interface is formed between therespective conical surfaces 21, 61, and wherein a primary seal isformed, in accordance with yet a further embodiment of the presentinvention.

Information as herein shown and described in detail is fully capable ofattaining the above-described object of the invention, the presentlypreferred embodiment of the invention, and is, thus, representative ofthe subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the presentinvention. The scope of the present invention fully encompasses otherembodiments which may become obvious to those skilled in the art, and isto be limited, accordingly, by nothing other than the appended claims,wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean“one and only one” unless explicitly so stated, but rather “one ormore.” All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of theabove-described preferred embodiment and additional embodiments that areknown to those of ordinary skill in the art are hereby expresslyincorporated by reference and are intended to be encompassed by thepresent claims.

Moreover, no requirement exists for a device or method to address eachand every problem sought to be resolved by the present invention, forsuch to be encompassed by the present claims. Furthermore, no element,component, or method step in the present disclosure is intended to bededicated to the public regardless of whether the element, component, ormethod step is explicitly recited in the claims. However, that variouschanges and modifications in form, material, and fabrication materialdetail may be made, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions as set forth in the appended claims, should be readilyapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. No claim herein is to beconstrued under the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph,unless the element is expressly recited using the phrase “means for.”

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention industrially applies to fittings. Morespecifically, the present invention industrially applies to highpressure fittings. Even more specifically, the present inventionindustrially applies to high pressure fittings that are hand-tightenableand are operable under extended vacuum conditions as well.

1. An interchangeable fitting system, comprising: a fitting, the fittingincluding a male connector and a female connector, the male and femaleconnectors each having a forward portion and an aft portion, the maleconnector being interfaceable with a plurality of non-system femaleconnectors, and the female connector being interfaceable with aplurality of non-system male connectors, the male connector having aprimary sealing structure and a secondary sealing structure, the femaleconnector having a primary sealing structure and a secondary sealingstructure, and the male primary sealing structure being interfaceablewith the female primary sealing structure, and the male secondarysealing structure being interfaceable with the female secondary sealingstructure.
 2. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the male primarysealing structure comprises a frusto-conical sealing surface, whereinthe female primary sealing structure comprises a complementaryfrusto-conical sealing face, and wherein the frusto-conical sealingsurface and the complementary frusto-conical sealing face areinteractable as a hard interface.
 3. A system, as recited in claim 1,wherein the male secondary sealing structure comprises an integrallyformed collar portion disposed aft of the male primary sealingstructure, and wherein the female secondary sealing structure comprisesat least one element selected from a group consisting essentially of anO-ring, a gasket, a washer, a seal, and a radial seal, being seatedforward of the female primary sealing structure.
 4. A system, as recitedin claim 2, wherein the frusto-conical sealing surface comprises anangle of approximately 59°, and wherein the complementary frusto-conicalsealing face comprises an angle of approximately 60°.
 5. A system, asrecited in claim 1, wherein the fitting is hand-tightenable in apressure range of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psi.6. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the fitting iswrench-tightenable in a pressure range of up to approximately 150,000psi.
 7. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the fitting is operableunder an extended vacuum condition.
 8. A system, as recited in claim 1,wherein the fitting system is used for connecting at least one elementselected from a group consisting essentially of a hydraulic system, apneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and a rigid tube.
 9. Asystem, as recited in claim 3, wherein the integrally formed collarportion comprises a cross-section selected from a group consistingessentially of a circular cross-section and a conical cross-section. 10.A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the male connector forwardportion comprises a parallel thread, and wherein the male connector aftportion comprises a threading feature selected from a group consistingessentially of a parallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipe thread, amale national pipe thread, a British standard parallel thread, a JIC37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread,a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, anindustry-available connection system thread, a high-pressure tubingthread, and any other suitable threading system.
 11. A system, asrecited in claim 1, wherein the female connector forward portioncomprises a parallel thread, and wherein the female connector aftportion comprises a threading feature selected from a group consistingessentially of a parallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipe thread, amale national pipe thread, a British standard parallel thread, a JIC37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread,a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, anindustry-available connection system thread, a high-pressure tubingthread, and any other suitable threading system.
 12. A system, asrecited in claim 1, further comprising a hose being coupled with thefitting, wherein the hose comprises at least one material selected froma group consisting essentially of stainless steel, copper, polyamide,polyurethane, copper, rubber, brass, polyoxymethylene, nylon, and anyother suitable material.
 13. A system, as recited in claim 1, whereinthe fitting comprises at least one material selected from a groupconsisting essentially of stainless steel, 316 stainless steel,titanium, nickel, iron, chromium, cobalt, copper, molybdenum, brass,steel, Monel®, Hastelloy®, and any other suitable material.
 14. Asystem, as recited in claim 1, wherein the female connector furthercomprises a weep hole disposed forward of the female secondary sealingstructure for facilitating indication of at least one condition selectedfrom a group consisting essentially of an over-pressurized state and aleaking state.
 15. A system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the maleprimary sealing structure comprises a frusto-conical sealing surface,wherein the female primary sealing structure comprises a complementaryfrusto-conical sealing face, wherein the frusto-conical sealing surfaceand the complementary frusto-conical sealing face are interactable as ahard interface, wherein the male secondary sealing structure comprisesan integrally formed collar portion disposed aft of the male primarysealing structure, wherein the female secondary sealing structurecomprises at least one element selected from a group consistingessentially of an O-ring, a gasket, a washer, a seal, and a radial seal,being seated forward of the female primary sealing structure, whereinthe frusto-conical sealing surface comprises an angle of approximately59°, wherein the complementary frusto-conical sealing face comprises anangle of approximately 60°, wherein the fitting is hand-tightenable in apressure range of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psi,wherein the fitting is wrench-tightenable in a pressure range of up toapproximately 150,000 psi, wherein the fitting is operable under anextended vacuum condition, wherein the fitting system is used forconnecting at least one element selected from a group consistingessentially of a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a flexible hose,a pipe, and a rigid tube, wherein the integrally formed collar portioncomprises a cross-section selected from a group consisting essentiallyof a circular cross-section and a conical cross-section, wherein themale connector forward portion comprises a parallel thread, wherein themale connector aft portion comprises a threading feature selected from agroup consisting essentially of a parallel thread, a tapered thread, apipe thread, a male national pipe thread, a British standard parallelthread, a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M”58-degree thread, a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hosethread, an industry-available connection system thread, a high-pressuretubing thread, and any other suitable threading system, wherein thefemale connector forward portion comprises a parallel thread, whereinthe female connector aft portion comprises a threading feature selectedfrom a group consisting essentially of a parallel thread, a taperedthread, a pipe thread, a male national pipe thread, a British standardparallel thread, a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type“M” 58-degree thread, a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressurehose thread, an industry-available connection system thread, ahigh-pressure tubing thread, and any other suitable threading system,and wherein the female connector further comprises a weep hole disposedforward of the female secondary sealing structure for facilitatingindication of at least one condition selected from a group consistingessentially of an over-pressurized state and a leaking state.
 16. Amethod of fabricating an interchangeable fitting system, comprising:providing a fitting, the fitting providing step including providing amale connector and providing a female connector, the male connector andfemale connector providing steps each comprising providing a respectiveforward portion and a respective aft portion, the male connectorproviding step comprising providing interfaceablity of the maleconnector with a plurality of non-system female connectors, and thefemale connector providing step comprising providing interfaceablity ofthe female connector with a plurality of non-system male connectors, themale connector providing step comprising providing the male connectorwith a primary sealing structure and a secondary sealing structure, thefemale connector providing step comprising providing the femaleconnector with a primary sealing structure and a secondary sealingstructure, and whereby the male primary sealing structure isinterfaceable with the female primary sealing structure, and the malesecondary sealing structure is interfaceable with the female secondarysealing structure.
 17. A method, as recited in claim 14, wherein themale connector providing step comprises providing the male primarysealing structure with a frusto-conical sealing surface, wherein thefemale connector providing step comprises providing the female primarysealing structure with a complementary frusto-conical sealing face, andwhereby the frusto-conical sealing surface and the complementaryfrusto-conical sealing face are interactable as a hard interface.
 18. Amethod, as recited in claim 14, wherein the male connector providingstep comprises providing the male secondary sealing structure with anintegrally formed collar portion disposed aft of the male primarysealing structure, and wherein the female connector providing stepcomprises providing the female secondary sealing structure with at leastone element selected from a group consisting essentially of an O-ring, agasket, a washer, a seal, and a radial seal, being seated forward of thefemale primary sealing structure.
 19. A method, as recited in claim 15,wherein the male connector providing step comprises providing thefrusto-conical sealing surface with an angle of approximately 59°, andwherein the female connector providing step comprises providing thecomplementary frusto-conical sealing face with an angle of approximately60°.
 20. A method, as recited in claim 14, wherein the fitting providingstep comprises providing the fitting being hand-tightenable in apressure range of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psi.21. A method, as recited in claim 14, wherein the fitting providing stepcomprises providing the fitting being wrench-tightenable in a pressurerange of up to approximately 150,000 psi.
 22. A method, as recited inclaim 14, wherein the fitting providing step comprises providing thefitting being operable under an extended vacuum condition.
 23. A method,as recited in claim 14, wherein the fitting providing step comprisesproviding the fitting system being connectable to at least one elementselected from a group consisting essentially of a hydraulic system, apneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and a rigid tube.
 24. Amethod, as recited in claim 16, wherein the male connector providingstep comprises providing the integrally formed collar portion with across-section selected from a group consisting essentially of a circularcross-section and a conical cross-section.
 25. A method, as recited inclaim 14, wherein the male connector providing step comprises providingthe male connector forward portion with a parallel thread, and whereinthe male connector providing step comprises providing the male connectoraft portion with a threading feature selected from a group consistingessentially of a parallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipe thread, amale national pipe thread, a British standard parallel thread, a JIC37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread,a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, anindustry-available connection system thread, a high-pressure tubingthread, and any other suitable threading system.
 26. A method, asrecited in claim 14, wherein the female connector providing stepcomprises providing the female connector forward portion with a parallelthread, and wherein the female connector providing step comprisesproviding the female connector aft portion comprises a threading featureselected from a group consisting essentially of a parallel thread, atapered thread, a pipe thread, a male national pipe thread, a Britishstandard parallel thread, a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degreethread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread, a metric swivel fitting thread, ahigh-pressure hose thread, an industry-available connection systemthread, a high-pressure tubing thread, and any other suitable threadingsystem.
 27. A method, as recited in claim 14, further comprisingproviding a hose being coupled with the fitting, wherein the hoseproviding step comprises providing at least one material selected from agroup consisting essentially of stainless steel, copper, polyamide,polyurethane, copper, rubber, brass, polyoxymethylene, nylon, and anyother suitable material.
 28. A method, as recited in claim 14, whereinthe fitting providing step comprises providing at least one materialselected from a group consisting essentially of stainless steel, 316stainless steel, titanium, nickel, iron, chromium, cobalt, copper,molybdenum, brass, steel, Monel®, Hastelloy®, and any other suitablematerial.
 29. A method, as recited in claim 14, wherein the femaleconnector providing step further comprises providing a weep holedisposed forward of the female secondary sealing structure forfacilitating indication of at least one condition selected from a groupconsisting essentially of an over-pressurized state and a leaking state.30. A method, as recited in claim 14, wherein the male connectorproviding step comprises providing the male primary sealing structurewith a frusto-conical sealing surface, wherein the female connectorproviding step comprises providing the female primary sealing structurewith a complementary frusto-conical sealing face, whereby thefrusto-conical sealing surface and the complementary frusto-conicalsealing face are interactable as a hard interface, wherein the maleconnector providing step comprises providing the male secondary sealingstructure with an integrally formed collar portion disposed aft of themale primary sealing structure, wherein the female connector providingstep comprises providing the female secondary sealing structure with atleast one element selected from a group consisting essentially of anO-ring, a gasket, a washer, a seal, and a radial seal, being seatedforward of the female primary sealing structure, wherein the maleconnector providing step comprises providing the frusto-conical sealingsurface with an angle of approximately 59°, wherein the female connectorproviding step comprises providing the complementary frusto-conicalsealing face with an angle of approximately 60°, wherein the fittingproviding step comprises providing the fitting being hand-tightenable ina pressure range of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psi,wherein the fitting providing step comprises providing the fitting beingwrench-tightenable in a pressure range of up to approximately 150,000psi, wherein the fitting providing step comprises providing the fittingbeing operable under an extended vacuum condition, wherein the fittingproviding step comprises providing the fitting system being connectableto at least one element selected from a group consisting essentially ofa hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and arigid tube, wherein the male connector providing step comprisesproviding the integrally formed collar portion with a cross-sectionselected from a group consisting essentially of a circular cross-sectionand a conical cross-section, wherein the male connector providing stepcomprises providing the male connector forward portion with a parallelthread, and wherein the male connector providing step comprisesproviding the male connector aft portion with a threading featureselected from a group consisting essentially of a parallel thread, atapered thread, a pipe thread, a male national pipe thread, a Britishstandard parallel thread, a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degreethread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread, a metric swivel fitting thread, ahigh-pressure hose thread, an industry-available connection systemthread, a high-pressure tubing thread, and any other suitable threadingsystem, wherein the female connector providing step comprises providingthe female connector forward portion with a parallel thread, wherein thefemale connector providing step comprises providing the female connectoraft portion comprises a threading feature selected from a groupconsisting essentially of a parallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipethread, a male national pipe thread, a British standard parallel thread,a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degreethread, a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, anindustry-available connection system thread, a high-pressure tubingthread, and any other suitable threading system, and wherein the femaleconnector providing step further comprises providing a weep holedisposed forward of the female secondary sealing structure forfacilitating indication of at least one condition selected from a groupconsisting essentially of an over-pressurized state and a leaking state.31. A method of using an interchangeable fitting system, comprising:providing an interchangeable fitting system, the system comprising: afitting, the fitting including a male connector and a female connector,the male and female connectors each having a forward portion and an aftportion, the male connector being interfaceable with a plurality ofnon-system female connectors, and the female connector beinginterfaceable with a plurality of non-system male connectors, the maleconnector having a primary sealing structure and a secondary sealingstructure, the female connector having a primary sealing structure and asecondary sealing structure, and the male primary sealing structurebeing interfaceable with the female primary sealing structure, and themale secondary sealing structure being interfaceable with the femalesecondary sealing structure; and connecting the fitting to at least oneelement selected from a group consisting essentially of a hydraulicsystem, a pneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and a rigid tube,wherein the connecting step comprises a step selected from a groupconsisting essentially of hand-tightening the fitting in a pressurerange of approximately 5,000 psi to approximately 10,000 psi andwrench-tightening the fitting in a pressure range of up to approximately150,000 psi.
 32. A method, as recited in claim 29, further comprisingcoupling a hose with the fitting.
 33. A male connector apparatus,comprising: a male connector having a forward portion and an aftportion, the male connector being interfaceable with a plurality ofnon-system female connectors, the male connector having a primarysealing structure and a secondary sealing structure, the male primarysealing structure being interfaceable with a female primary sealingstructure, and the male secondary sealing structure being interfaceablewith a female secondary sealing structure.
 34. An apparatus, as recitedin claim 31, wherein the male primary sealing structure comprises afrusto-conical sealing surface.
 35. An apparatus, as recited in claim31, wherein the male secondary sealing structure comprises an integrallyformed collar portion disposed aft of the male primary sealingstructure.
 36. An apparatus, as recited in claim 33, wherein thefrusto-conical sealing surface comprises an angle of approximately 59°.37. An apparatus, as recited in claim 1, wherein the male connector isused for connecting at least one element selected from a groupconsisting essentially of a hydraulic system, a pneumatic system, aflexible hose, a pipe, and a rigid tube.
 38. An apparatus, as recited inclaim 33, wherein the integrally formed collar portion comprises across-section selected from a group consisting essentially of a circularcross-section and a conical cross-section.
 39. An apparatus, as recitedin claim 31, wherein the male connector forward portion comprises aparallel thread, and wherein the male connector aft portion comprises athreading feature selected from a group consisting essentially of aparallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipe thread, a male national pipethread, a British standard parallel thread, a JIC 37-degree thread, anSAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degree thread, a metric swivelfitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, an industry-availableconnection system thread, a high-pressure tubing thread, and any othersuitable threading system.
 40. A female connector apparatus, comprising:a female connector having a forward portion and an aft portion, thefemale connector being interfaceable with a plurality of non-system maleconnectors, the female connector having a primary sealing structure anda secondary sealing structure, and the female primary sealing structurebeing interfaceable with a male primary sealing structure, and thefemale secondary sealing structure being interfaceable with a malesecondary sealing structure.
 41. An apparatus, as recited in claim 38,wherein the female primary sealing structure comprises a frusto-conicalsealing face.
 42. An apparatus, as recited in claim 38, wherein thefemale secondary sealing structure comprises at least one elementselected from a group consisting essentially of an O-ring, a gasket, awasher, a seal, and a radial seal, being seated forward of the femaleprimary sealing structure.
 43. An apparatus, as recited in claim 39,wherein the complementary frusto-conical sealing face comprises an angleof approximately 60°.
 44. An apparatus, as recited in claim 38, whereinthe female connector is used for connecting at least one elementselected from a group consisting essentially of a hydraulic system, apneumatic system, a flexible hose, a pipe, and a rigid tube.
 45. Asystem, as recited in claim 38, wherein the female connector forwardportion comprises a parallel thread, and wherein the female connectoraft portion comprises a threading feature selected from a groupconsisting essentially of a parallel thread, a tapered thread, a pipethread, a male national pipe thread, a British standard parallel thread,a JIC 37-degree thread, an SAE 37-degree thread, a Type “M” 58-degreethread, a metric swivel fitting thread, a high-pressure hose thread, anindustry-available connection system thread, a high-pressure tubingthread, and any other suitable threading system.